Distributor device with vacuum advance mechanism operated switch structure attached to housing

ABSTRACT

A distributor device includes a rotating shaft driven by an engine and having a cam with which ignition points are opened, a movable plate rotatable against a case where ignition points are mounted, a diaphragm means, viz. vacuum spark advancing means operated by the vacuum of an inlet manifold in an engine and connected with the movable plate in order to change the on-off timing of the ignition points, and a vacuum electric switching means opened and closed by the operation of the diaphragm means.

United States Patent Yoshimura DISTRIBUTOR DEVICE WITH VACUUM ADVANCE MECHANISM OPERATED SWITCH STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO HOUSING Shigetake Yoshlmura, Japan Inventor: Hiroshima,

Assignee: Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd., Hiroshimaken, Japan Filed: May 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 145,215

Foreign Application Priority Data June 3,1970 Japan ..45/55l73 us. or. ..200/31, 200/19 R, 200/153 T int. c1. .110111 21/80 Field of Search....200/l9 R, 19 B, 29, 31,153 T 1451 Nov. 7, 1972 [56] References Cited 111911150 STATES PATENTS 2,713,096 1/1955 Brunk ..200/31 2,632,818 3/1953 Woods ..200/3| 3,504,141 3/1970 Webster .200/31 x Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack [57] ABSTRACT A distributor device includes a rotating shaft driven by an engine and having a cam with which ignition points are opened, a movable plate rotatable against a case where ignition points are mounted, a diaphragm means, viz. vacuum spark advancing means operated by the vacuum of an inlet manifold in an engine and connected with the movable plate in order to change the on-off timing of the ignition points, and a vacuum electric switching means opened and closed by the operation of the diaphragm means.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDNI 1m: 3.702.385

5/1 yefakz )S/II: mara INVENTOR.

awaii flf/M W DISTRIBUTOR DEVICE WITH VACUUM ADVANCE MECHANISM OPERATED SWITCH STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO HOUSING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement of a distributor device for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle.

A conventional distributor device for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle includes a vacuum spark advancing means operated by the vacuum in an inlet manifold, a movable plate which is connected with the vacuum spark advancing means and where ignition points are mounted, and a rotating shaft driven by an engine and providing a cam with which the ignition points are opened and closed.

Further, various switching means operated by the vacuum in the inlet manifold have been provided in an engine-room in order to attain each purpose. However such switching means are individually independent and require the exclusive vacuum actuator device. In an consequence. there occur disadvantages such as intricate construction, high cost, and besides waste of space in an engine-room.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a distributor device possessing the characteristics of known distributor devices and also having a vacuum electric switching means.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a distributor device including a vacuum electric switching means operated by the vacuum advanc ing means to accomplish low cost and economize space in an engine-room.

The preferable embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of a distributor device for an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle according to the present invention with the cap removed.

H0. 2 is a plan view showing an electric switching means out ofa base.

In a case 2 of a distributor device 1 is provided a rotating shaft 3 driven by a crank-shaft of an engine. A movable plate 4 is attached in case 2 to rotate against case 2 and thereon are mounted ignition points 6 which open and close in accordance with the rotation of a cam formed on rotating shaft 3.

A diaphragm means 7 has a diaphragm 8 which is moved by the vacuum caused in an inlet manifold (not illustrated), and diaphragm 8 is connected with movable plate 4 through a rod 9. Accordingly, diaphragm means 7 operates as a vacuum spark advancing means which controls the stop position of movable plate 4 in response to vacuum.

The above mentioned distributor device is already known. A vacuum electric switching means 10 is fixed on case 2 opposite a switch operator 1] such as a pin projected to movable plate 4. Further, in this embodiment, the switch operator ll connects the rod 9 with movable plate 4, but the switch operator 11 need not always be provided for such connection. For instance, either the movable plate 4 itself can be substituted for the switch operator or some projection can be provided on movable plate 4 as a switch operator. Further, the switch operator can also be provided on the rod 9. Vacuum electric switching means 10 contains a base 12 fixed on case 2. A fixed contact point 13 is fixed to base 12 and a movable contact point 13' is fixed to base 12 through an elastic arm 14. An elastic arm 14' is free at one end and fixed to base 12 at the other end together with elastic arm 14. According to the rotation of movable plate 4 when the switch operator 11 moves in the direction of the arrow A, beyond a predetermined distance elastic arms 14 and 14' move in the direction of the arrow B, and movable contact point 13' contacts fixed contact point 13. Electric wires 15 and 15' are at one end connected with fixed contact point 13 and movable contact point 13, and at the other end delivered out of the case 2.

In the device according to the present invention as constructed above, the diaphragm means 7 operated by the vacuum in the inlet manifold changes the position of ignition points 6 through said rod 9 and movable plate 4, and causes normal vacuum spark advancing. At the same time, switch operator 11 moves in the direction of the arrow A together with movable plate 4 rotated by the vacuum in the inlet manifold. When the switch operator 11 moves further, the elastic arms 14 and 14' move in the direction of the arrow B and the movable contact point 13' contacts fixed contact point 13. That is, such a vacuum switching means will be constructed as operates at a predetermined value of the vacuum in an inlet manifold, by setting up a value of the vacuum at which switch contact point 13' contacts switch contact point 13 according to the rotation of switch operator 11.

In the distributor according to the present invention as constructed above, a vacuum electric switching means which is opened and closed by the vacuum in the inlet manifold is provided in the case. Therefore, as compared with the engine having such conventional distributor device as changes the timing of the ignition points and an independent vacuum switching means, the engine having a distributor device provided as the present invention will be of simple construction at lower cost and will require no space in an engine-room.

In the embodiments illustrated, the switch operator 11 projected on the movable plate 4 is provided in such a position that it opens and closes the electric switching means 10. However, the construction should not be limited to this type. The present invention can also be equally embodied by providing an electric switching means on either of the case 2 of the portion moved by the vacuum spark advancing means, for instance, rod 9 or movable plate 4, and by providing the switch operator on the other.

I claim:

1. A distributor device for an internal combustion engine comprising:

a case;

a movable assembly rotatably positioned in said case and including a movable plate, breaker points mounted on said plate, and rod means pivotally connected to said plate;

a shaft extending into said casing and rotatable by said engine, said shaft having thereon a cam for opening and closing said breaker points;

a diaphragm mounted adjacent said case and movable relative thereto in response to vacuum changes in said engine;

said rod means connecting said diaphragm with said movable plate to transfer movement of said diaphragm to rotation of said movable plate, thereby changing the timing of said opening and closing of said breaker points by said cam; and

an electric switching means operatively positioned between said case and said movable assembly for being operated by movement of said movable assembly.

2. A distributor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electric switching means comprises a pair of points supported within said case and a switch operator operable to open and close said pair of points upon said movement of said movable assembly.

3. A distributor device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pair of points are mounted on said case.

4. A distributor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch operator comprises a pin joining said rod and said movable plate.

5. A distributor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch operator is on said movable plate.

6. A distributor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch operator is on said rod.

7. A distributor device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said switch operator is mounted on said casing.

8. A distributor device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of points are on said movable plate.

9. A distributor device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of points are on said rod. 

1. A distributor device for an internal combustion engine comprising: a case; a movable assembly rotatably positioned in said case and including a movable plate, breaker points mounted on said plate, and rod means pivotally connected to said plate; a shaft extending into said casing and rotatable by said engine, said shaft having thereon a cam for opening and closing said breaker points; a diaphragm mounted adjacent said case and movable relative thereto in response to vacuum changes in said engine; said rod means connecting said diaphragm with said movable plate to transfer movement of said diaphragm to rotation of said movable plate, thereby changing the timing of said opening and closing of said breaker points by said cam; and an electric switching means operatively positioned between said case and said movable assembly for being operated by movement of said movable assembly.
 2. A distributor device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electric switching means comprises a pair of points supported within said case and a switch operator operable to open and close said pair of points upon said movement of said movable assembly.
 3. A distributor device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pAir of points are mounted on said case.
 4. A distributor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch operator comprises a pin joining said rod and said movable plate.
 5. A distributor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch operator is on said movable plate.
 6. A distributor device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch operator is on said rod.
 7. A distributor device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said switch operator is mounted on said casing.
 8. A distributor device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of points are on said movable plate.
 9. A distributor device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of points are on said rod. 